Skip to main content

Report: Apple orders 15 million iPhone 5 units for September release

iPhone 5 iPhone 4S Apple

Apple has reportedly placed its first order for its next-generation iPhone with a Taiwan-based electronics manufacturer, according to DigiTimes. The devices, said to be produced by Pegatron Technology, are set to ship in September of this year.

In 2010, Pegatron produced 10 million CDMA iPhone 4 units for sale at Verizon, says DigiTimes, but low first quarter sales caused some financial pain for the manufacturer. Despite this, business from Apple is generally a good bet, and the company has reportedly begun hiring more staff at its factory in Shanghai, China.

According to the sources who spoke with DigiTimes say that the iPhone 5 “does not have any major update from iPhone 4.” This is something we’ve heard time and again with the next iPhone, and the more reports like this that come out, the harder it’s becoming to ignore the very real possibility that Apple’s next handset won’t be much of an upgrade.

Those who’ve been keeping a close watch on the next-gen iPhone rumors know that there is much talk about two separate devices: The first sounds much like the smartphone mentioned above, with little new to boast about save a much faster A5 processor, possibly a different-sized screen and an upgraded 8 megapixel camera. Most of the time, this device is referred to as the “iPhone 4S.”

The other rumored Apple handset, commonly called “iPhone 5,” is a far more revamped device, with a completely different, tear-drop shape; a larger, edge-to-edge screen and a variety of other speculated upgrades.

Some market analysts have predicted that Apple plans to release both the iPhone 5 and iPhone 4S this year. The iPhone 4S would be a much less expensive device, and serve as Apple’s answer to the growing number of bargain devices that run Google’s Android mobile operating system. We’ve argued that the iPhone 4S makes sense for Apple to release. But if this above report is true, that might be all we get this year.

Either way, this report corroborates a slew of earlier reports that we’ll see the next iPhone — whatever it’s called — in September. So, if you’re planning to get your hands on the handset, we’d start saving your nickles now.

Andrew Couts
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Features Editor for Digital Trends, Andrew Couts covers a wide swath of consumer technology topics, with particular focus on…
iOS 18 has a hidden feature you’ll only see when your iPhone battery dies
Close-up view of remaining battery life on an iPhone 14 Pro Max.

It's been just a few days since Apple released the first developer preview of iOS 18. Since then, developers and everyday users have discovered features in the first iOS 18 beta that Apple didn't mention in its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC 2024) keynote. The most recent discovery concerns what happens when your iPhone's battery becomes exhausted.

Apple iPhones have a power reserve feature that conserves a small amount of battery life to support essential functions like Find My and NFC unlocking when the battery is nearly depleted. In iOS 18, the feature appears to be extended.

Read more
iOS 18 makes an 11-year-old iPhone feature exciting again
Someone holding an iPhone 14, showing the Lock Screen.

Following the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC 2024) keynote, developers are starting to dig into the first iOS 18 developer beta. Though this beta lacks Apple Intelligence and many of the other features demoed on Monday, it offers a surprising new take on an old iOS feature: the flashlight.

The built-in flashlight feature has been available on the iPhone since iOS 7, which was released in 2013. It hasn't changed much at all since then, which makes sense, given its basic function. Interestingly, it has received a significant update in iOS 18.

Read more
iOS 18 is official. Here’s how it’s going to change your iPhone forever
Screenshots of new features in iOS 18.

It’s been a long time coming, but it’s finally here: iOS 18 has just been announced at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2024 keynote. And, like the rumors have been saying, this is a very big, juicy update for your iPhone.

There's been a lot of anticipation for iOS 18. Rumors and leaks for the new update have been particularly intense this year, more so than iOS 17 rumors last year. So, was the hype worth it? Here's what's coming to your iPhone with iOS 18.
Home screen changes

Read more